Preparation of ammonium nitrate-based solid composite propellants supplemented with polyurethane/nitrocellulose blends binder and their thermal decomposition behavior

To improve the performance of solid composite propellants (SCPs) supplemented with ammonium nitrate (AN) as an oxidizer, the incorporation of energetic ingredients such as explosives, energetic binders or catalysts is a common effective approach. For this purpose, polyurethane (PU), a typical inert binder, was mixed with nitrocellulose (NC) as an energetic polymer. Numerous composite solid propellant compositions based on AN and NC-modified polyurethane binder with different NC ratios were prepared. The prepared formulations were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), RAMAN spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron densimetry, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A kinetic study was then performed using the iterative Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (It-KAS), Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (It-FWO), and non-linear Vyazovkin integral with compensation effect (VYA/CE) methods. The theoretical performances, such as theoretical specific impulse, adiabatic flame temperature, and ideal exhaust gaseous species, were also determined using the NASA Lewis Code, Chemical Equilibrium with Application (CEA). Spectroscopic examinations revealed the existence of NC and full polymerization of PU in the prepared propellants. According to density tests, the density of the propellant increases as the nitrocellulose component increases. According to the thermal analysis and kinetics study, the increase in NC content catalyzed the thermal decomposition of the AN-based composite solid propellants. Based on the theoretical study, increasing the amount of NC in the propellant increased the specific impulse and, as a result, the overall performance.     

The investigation of NTO/HMX-based plastic-bonded explosives and its safety performance

3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) is the main component of insensitive munitions (IM) formulation because of its outstanding insensitive properties.In this paper,a series of NTO/HMX-based composite explosives were prepared and characterized.The study focuses on the effect of NTO on the performance of the formulations,especially the safety performance.The results revealed that the mechanical sensi-tivity of formulations was associated with NTO content,as well as the thermal conductivity,specific heat capacity and Arrhenius parameters.Then,the high amount of NTO using in formulation was proved to be helpful for NTO/HMX-based formulation to exhibit good thermal safety.Besides,by accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC) and a modified cook-offequipment,the pressure and pressure rise rate were proved as the important indicator for judging the thermal safety performance in confined spaces.Finally,the numerical simulation was used as a credible method for predicting the respond temperature of cook-off experiment.     

Burning characteristics of high density foamed GAP/CL-20 propellants

The monolithic foamed propellants with high densities were prepared by casting and two-step foaming processes. Glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) and isocyanate were used as the binder system and 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW, CL-20) was employed as the energetic component. The newly designed formulation containing 60 % CL-20 produced a force constant of 1077 J/g and low flame temperature of 2817 K. Two foamed propellants with densities of 1.32 g/cm³ and 1.53 g/cm³ were fabricated by a confined foaming process and examined by closed bomb tests. The results revealed that porosity significantly affects burning performance. A size effect on combustion behaviors was observed for the foamed propellant with 5.56 % porosity, and a double-hump progressive dynamic vivacity curve was obtained. At last, the 30 mm gun test was carried out to demonstrate the interior ballistic performance, and the muzzle velocity increased by 120 m/s at the same maximum chamber pressure when monolithic propellant was added in the charge.     

嵌入式装备测试系统设计研究

针对现代装备测试性需求,利用ARM微处理器构建了基于CAN总线网络的多路嵌入式数据采集系统,介绍了嵌入式数据采集系统硬件组成、硬件模块实现以及软件设计;检测数据经过CAN总线存入SD卡存储器,并进行后期数据的存取和处理．实验结果表明,该系统能够可靠、准确地对多路信号进行采集,实现对火炮装备的检测．     

Recent advances in catalytic combustion of AP-based composite solid propellants

Composite solid propellants (CSPs) have widely been used as main energy source for propelling the rockets in both space and military applications. Internal ballistic parameters of rockets like characteristic exhaust velocity, specific impulse, thrust, burning rate etc., are measured to assess and control the performance of rocket motors. The burn rate of solid propellants has been considered as most vital parameter for design of solid rocket motors to meet specific mission requirements. The burning rate of solid propellants can be tailored by using different constituents, extent of oxidizer loading and its particle size and more commonly by incorporating suitable combustion catalysts. Various metal oxides (MOs), complexes, metal powders and metal alloys have shown positive catalytic behaviour during the com-bustion of CSPs. These are usually solid-state catalysts that play multiple roles in combustion of CSPs such as reduction in activation energy, enhancement of rate of reaction, modification of sequences in reaction-phase, influence on condensed-phase combustion and participation in combustion process in gas-phase reactions. The application of nanoscale catalysts in CSPs has increased considerably in recent past due to their superior catalytic properties as compared to their bulk-sized counterparts. A large surface-to-volume ratio and quantum size effect of nanocatalysts are considered to be plausible reasons for improving the combustion characteristics of propellants. Several efforts have been made to produce nanoscale combustion catalysts for advanced propellant formulations to improve their energetics. The work done so far is largely scattered. In this review, an effort has been made to introduce various combustion catalysts having at least a metallic entity. Recent developments of nanoscale combustion catalysts with their specific merits are discussed. The combustion chemistry of a typical CSP is briefly discussed for providing a better understanding on role of combustion catalysts in burning rate enhancement. Available information on different types of combustion nanocatalysts is also presented with critical comments.     

Formation and characterization of core-shell CL-20/TNT composite prepared by spray-drying technique

The core-shell 2,4,6,8,10,12-Hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane/2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (CL-20/TNT) composite was prepared by spray-drying method in which sensitive high energy explosive (CL-20) was coated with insensitive explosive (TNT). The structure and properties of different formulations of CL-20/TNT composite and CL-20/TNT mixture were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Laser particle size analyzer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), impact sensitivity test and detonation performance. The results of SEM, TEM, XPS and XRD show that ϵ-CL-20 particles are coated by TNT. When the ratio of CL-20/TNT is 75/25, core-shell structure is well formed, and thickness of the shell is about 20–30 nm. And the analysis of heat and impact show that with the increase of TNT content, the TNT coating on the core-shell composite material can not only catalyze the thermal decomposition of core material (CL-20), but also greatly reduce the impact sensitivity. Compared with the CL-20/TNT mixture (75/25) at the same ratio, the characteristic drop height of core-shell CL-20/TNT composite (75/25) increased by 47.6% and the TNT coating can accelerate the nuclear decomposition in the CL-20/TNT composites. Therefore, the preparation of the core-shell composites can be regarded as a unique means, by which the composites are characterized by controllable decomposition rate, high energy and excellent mechanical sensitivity and could be applied to propellants and other fields.     

Investigation on the foaming behaviors of NC-based gun propellants

To prepare the porous NC-based (nitrocellulose-based) gun propellants, the batch foaming process of using supercritical CO₂ as the physical blowing agent is used. The solubilities of CO₂ in the single-base propellants and TEGDN (trimethyleneglycol dinitrate) propellants are measured by the gravimetric method, and SEM (scanning electron microscope) is used to observe the morphology of foamed propellants. The result shows that a large amount of CO₂ could be dissolved in NC-based propellants. The experimental results also reveal that the energetic plasticizer TEGDN exerts an important influence on the pore structure. The triaxial tensile failure mechanism for solid-state nucleation is used to explain the nucleation of NC-based propellants in the solid state. Since some specific foaming behaviors of NC-based propellants can not be explained by the failure mechanism, a solid-state nucleation mechanism which revises the triaxial tensile failure mechanism is proposed and discussed.     

小口径火炮侵彻钢靶模拟实验研究及有限元分析

对小口径火炮侵彻钢靶问题,分别进行了实验和有限元分析,并将所得结果进行了比较;分析了小口径火炮侵彻钢靶的侵彻过程,得到了带空腔弹丸高速垂直侵彻钢板的典型破坏模式.     

基于动态贝叶斯网的炮兵战斗效果评估建模仿真

依据炮兵火力作战的特点规律,分析炮兵战斗效果评估的内容、程序、建模过程和影响因素,运用动态Bayesian网建立炮兵战斗效果评估模型,运用主成分分析方法确定评估专家权重,运用Poly Tree的消息传递算法进行评估网络推理分析,最后结合案例仿真验证。结果表明,该研究解决了情报信息不确定性、模糊性和动态性等影响战斗效果精确评估问题。     

火箭推进剂废水的危害及其治理

我国目前常用的推进剂是以偏二甲肼、四氧化二氮为主的液体双组元推进剂,其毒性为Ⅲ级。文中主要论述了推进剂废水对水体、土壤的污染和对人体健康、牲畜、渔业等的危害,以及臭氧-紫外线、自然净化等治理方法,并提出了加强管理、开发新的废水处理方法的建议。     

基于ANN的高炮火力单元射击有利度评估

采用ANN(人工神经网络)方法对高炮火力单元射击有利度进行评估是一种新的尝试。在对各影响因素进行分析与量化处理的基础上,建立了基于ANN的高炮火力单元射击有利度评估网络模型,并提供了网络的解算方法。通过某型高炮对不同目标射击的已知有利度评估值对网络进行的训练,确定了网络的各权值,并使学习误差达到了预先规定的标准,实现了对该型高炮对空射击有利度的评估。     

Deconsolidation and combustion performance of thermally consolidated propellants deterred by multi-layers coating

Both heating and solvent-spray methods are used to consolidate the standard grains of double-base oblate sphere propellants plasticized with triethyleneglycol dinitrate (TEGDN) (TEGDN propellants) to high density propellants. The obtained consolidated propellants are deterred and coated with the slow burning multi-layer coating. The maximum compaction density of deterred and coated consolidated propellants can reach up to 1.39 g/cm³. Their mechanic, deconsolidation and combustion performances are tested by the materials test machine, interrupted burning set-up and closed vessel, respectively. The static compression strength of consolidated propellants deterred by multi-layer coating increases significantly to 18 MPa, indicating that they can be applied in most circumstances of charge service. And the samples are easy to deconsolidate in the interrupted burning test. Furthermore, the closed bomb burning curves of the samples indicate a two-stage combustion phenomenon under the condition of certain thickness of coated multi-layers. After the outer deterred multi-layer coating of consolidated samples is finished burning, the inner consolidated propellants continue to burn and breakup into aggregates and grains. The high burning progressivity can be carefully obtained by the smart control of deconsolidation process and duration of consolidated propellants. The preliminary results of consolidated propellants show that a rapid deconsolidation process at higher deconsolidation pressure is presented in the dynamic vivacity curves of closed bomb test. Higher density and higher macro progressivity of consolidated propellants can be obtained by the techniques in this paper.     

车用CAN网络瞬态干扰的来源及控制

CAN网络结构设计对其抗干扰特性的影响很大,良好的结构设计可以提高系统的稳定性,从车内CAN网络被干扰的实际问题入手,通过对CAN网络上采集到的干扰信号进行研究,结合车内电子部件的工作原理及发生电磁干扰的原理,分析产生此问题的原因,提出解决方案,并通过测试验证了解决方案的有效性,通过干扰发生器施加更大强度的干扰的方法,验证了改进方案的安全裕度,达到使用要求。     

A novel method for determination of lethal radius for high-explosive artillery projectiles

A new model has been defined that enables the estimation of the lethal radius (radius of efficiency) of HE (High Explosive) artillery projectiles against human targets. The model is made of several modules: CAD (Computer Aided Design) modeling, fragment mass distribution estimation, fragment initial velocity prediction, fragment trajectory calculation, effective fragment density estimation, and high explosive projectile lethal radius estimation. The results were compared with the experimental results obtained based on tests in the arena used in our country, and the agreement of the results was good. This model can be used in any terminal-ballistics scenario for high explosive projectiles since it is general, para-metric, fast and relatively easy to implement.     

Experimental investigation of a cook-off temperature in a hot barrel

The experimental investigations of the effect of contact time/temperature on initiating the cook-off using 7.62 mm calibre cartridge cases (CC) were conducted previously. These cartridges were filled with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) double based (DB) propellant (Bulls Eye) and were loaded in a hot chamber. The thermal explosion temperature is of great significance to both weapon designers and safety inspectors as it provides the operational limit and safe operating temperature. For CC under test, it was found that the cook-off temperatures of this propellant were encountered with the heat transfer profile of the simulated gun barrel between 151.4 °C and 153.4 °C, with a reaction occurring in less than 300 s after the round was chambered. Usefully, each experiment was found to be consistent and repeatable.     

基于有色Petri网的CAN总线仿真与性能分析

针对CAN总线的多主竞争模式通过解析法难以建模这一问题,运用CPN Tools工具构建了基于有色Petri网的CAN总线CSMA/CA竞争机制模型,模拟了CAN总线的静态结构和动态行为,对CAN总线性能进行了仿真与分析。仿真结果验证了所建CAN总线模型的合理性与正确性。     

液体推进剂消耗对大型卫星结构动特性的影响分析

为了研究液体推进剂消耗对某大型卫星结构动特性的影响,采用简化的“弹簧-质量”模型分析了推进剂消耗对结构动特性的影响趋势;基于MSC.PATRAN/NASTRAN给出了动力学分析过程中液体推进剂的等效建模和分析方法,包括梁单元法、附加质量法、“RBE3 -质量点”单元法和虚拟质量法等;建立了该卫星结构的有限元模型,进行了结构动力学特性和动响应分析,讨论了液体推进剂消耗对其动特性的影响规律.研究结果表明:随着推进剂的消耗,卫星整体振型的固有频率逐渐增大,而部分局部振型的固有频率保持不变;随着推进剂的消耗,卫星仪器安装板动力学响应峰值逐渐增大,所对应的频率也逐渐增大.     

Research on the influences of confining pressure and strain rate on NEPE propellant: Experimental assessment and constitutive model

In order to study the influences of confining pressure and strain rate on the mechanical properties of the Nitrate Ester Plasticized Polyether (NEPE) propellant, uniaxial tensile tests were conducted using the self-made confining pressure system and material testing machine. The stress-strain responses of the NEPE propellant under different confining pressure conditions and strain rates were obtained and analyzed. The results show that confining pressure and strain rate have a remarkably influence on the mechanical responses of the NEPE propellant. As confining pressure increases (from 0 to 5.4 MPa), the maximum tensile stress and ultimate strain increase gradually. With the coupled effects of confining pressure and strain rate, the value of the maximum tensile stress and ultimate strain at 5.4 MPa and 0.0667 s⁻¹ is 2.03 times and 2.19 times of their values under 0 MPa and 0.00333 s⁻¹, respectively. Afterwards, the influence mechanism of confining pressure on the NEPE propellant was analyzed. Finally, based on the viscoelastic theory and continuous damage theory, a nonlinear constitutive model considering confining pressure and strain rate was developed. The damage was considered to be rate-dependent and pressure-dependent. The constitutive model was validated by comparing experimental data with predictions of the constitutive model. The whole maximum stress errors of the model predictions are lower than 4% and the corresponding strain errors are lower than 7%. The results show that confining pressure can suppress the damage initiation and evolution of the NEPE propellant and the nonlinear constitutive model can describe the mechanical responses of the NEPE propellant under various confining pressure conditions and strain rates. This research can lay a theoretical foundation for analyzing the structural integrity of propellant grain accurately under working pressure loading.     

Research on Effect of Adding Nanomaterial to Propellant on Gun Barrel

The barrel lifes of three small caliber rifles were tested by using the propellant with nanomaterial and the standard propellant respectively. The test results show that the service life increases observably due to adding nanomaterial to the propellant. Then, the influence of the nanomaterial on the tube was researched by splitting the two barrels tested and detecting their inner surfaces. It was found that the erosion of the barrel bore is reduced observably by using the propellant with nanomaterial. And it makes the volume and the size of the gun chamber change less. Therefore, the barrel life can be prolonged by adding the nanomaterial in the propellant.